Cooper Green Homes unveils $30M renovation of 227 apartments

The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) and Paces Preservation Partners celebrated the completion of the Cooper Green Homes renovation Wednesday, Oct. 14, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1501 Arthur Shores Drive SW.

Paces Preservation Partners is a partnership between The Paces Foundation and Soho Housing Partners. The two-phase project upgraded the community’s apartments, buildings and shared amenities across its 32-acre site.

What the Cooper Green Homes renovation included

The nearly $30 million project works out to about $132,000 in upgrades per unit. Synovus Bank provided financing in partnership with United Bank, Bellwether and HABD.

• Exteriors:
  • Roofs
  • Gutters
  • Energy-efficient windows
  • Siding
  • Improved attic insulation
  • Brick repairs
• Interiors:
  • Appliances
  • Cabinets
  • Countertops
  • Plumbing
  • Light fixtures
  • Flooring
  • HVAC systems
  • Water heaters

New amenities at Cooper Green Homes

Early phases focused on the apartments. The final phases added community features:

• An updated playground with shade covering and solar lighting
• New water and dog parks
• A protective concrete buffer wall between the property and the neighboring railway and fuel facility

Leaders weigh in on Birmingham affordable housing

HABD President and CEO Dontrelle Young Foster said the project fits the authority’s broader goals for the city:

“We are preserving valuable, affordable housing through substantial rehabilitation by investing in the future of our residents. This continued transformation is a part of our vision for stronger and more vibrant communities throughout the city of Birmingham.”

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., presented a letter of thanks from her office to Soho Housing Partners, The Paces Foundation and HABD. She also praised the partnership:

“Today’s ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Cooper Green Homes represents an important step toward tackling the housing crisis and ensuring every family has a quality, affordable place to live.”

Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman, who represents District 6, said the project goes beyond new buildings:

“Housing is much more than having a roof over your head. It’s about stability, dignity, and the opportunity for individuals and families to build a better future.”

Soho Housing Partners President and CEO Steve Bien said the team kept residents at the center of its decisions. He recalled a discussion with the Alabama Housing Finance Authority’s David Young about whether one site measure was necessary. Young’s question — “What about the residents?” — became the guide for the project:

“Paces Preservation Partners is honored to have worked with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and our finance partners to bring innovative ways to improve affordable housing here and preserve Cooper Green as a high-quality community that residents can comfortably afford.”

Steven Bauhan, chief development officer of The Paces Foundation, thanked residents for their patience during construction:

“Affordable housing is about more than preserving buildings — it is also about making the investments that foster stable, welcoming communities where families can thrive for years to come.”

About Cooper Green Homes in southwest Birmingham

Cooper Green Homes opened in 1971 on Birmingham’s southwest side.

• Size: 46 two-story buildings with 227 apartments
• Unit mix: 50 one-bedroom, 77 two-bedroom, 83 three-bedroom, 12 four-bedroom and five five-bedroom units
• On site: A community center, a management office, a day care center with Head Start programming and several playgrounds
• Affordability: All apartments are reserved for residents earning 60% of the area median household income or less and HABD provides rental assistance